"I am praying for peace and comfort for all of my family during this time. Even though we weren't able to visit Great Grandma very often, I will always remember visiting her in the summer. She was always able to put a smile on my face and make the time fly by. I am so glad that I was able to go to her 100th birthday celebration and share that day with her. She will be dearly missed."
In loving memory of
Hilma Bonow
September 26, 1917 - January 27, 2018
"Asleep in Jesus, Awake in Paradise"......, on Saturday, January 27th, 2018, after 100 years of God's loving guidance here on earth, Hilma Bonow has now received her crown of everlasting life bestowed on her by Jesus our Savior. Hilma entered this world 100 years ago last September 26th, the second of five children born to John and Helene (Mueller) Burfeind of rural Lewiston, MN. She was reborn through Holy Baptism, confirmed in her Christian faith, and married to her husband of 51 years, Arnold Bonow, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lewiston (Silo) MN. Shortly after their marriage Arnold and Hilma joined and became faithful active members of St. John's Lutheran Congregation in Lewiston. By God's grace Hilma was given the joyful task of becoming the mother of six children, - Richard, Willis, Marilyn, Charles, Steven, and Janice. Together with Arnold, Hilma was intent on raising her children to know and believe there is nothing greater than God's love for them in Jesus our Lord. Fully aware of her own need for a Savior from her wrongs and misdeeds, Hilma continued to demonstrate to her family and friends the love of a grateful servant to her gracious Master. This service was displayed in her church as an active member of St. John's Ladies Aid, Lutheran Women's Mission Society, and various duties involved with the Parent Teacher League of St. John's School. She was also active in leadership roles of the Lewiston Wonder Workers 4-H club, and also a member of the Lewiston Homemakers Club and OWLS. Besides working alongside her husband on the farm to provide for their family, Hilma also sought and found useful employment outside their home, and through the years worked at Leaf's Laundry, Winona, and also Rush Products and Camera Art, Lewiston.
Hilma is survived by four of her children, Marilyn Wachholz and Charles (Sandra) Bonow of Lewiston, Steven Bonow and Janice Meilander of Rochester, MN, two daughters in law, Sandi Bonow, Eyota, MN, and Karen Bonow, Lewiston, 17 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 17 great, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arnold, two brothers, Edwin and Carl Burfeind, and their wives, Marie and Evelyn respectively, one sister Verona Kinsley, and her husband Norbert, an infant brother, John, two sons, Richard and Willis, two sons-in-law, Wayne Wachholz and John Meilander, a grandson Scott Bonow, and a great great grandson, Trenton Krusmark.
A service of Christian burial for Hilma will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 2, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lewiston with Pastor Michael A. Lindemann and Pastor Paul Kuckhahn officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be held in St. John's cemetery following the service. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Tracy, Randy, Joseph, Jared, and Robert Bonow, Bruce Wachholz, and honorary pall bearer, Matt Meilander.
Special thanks and gratitude are extended to Pastors Lindemann, Kuckhahn, and retired Pastor Fischer for their spiritual care through the past many years. Also a huge thank you to the loving and supportive staff of Speltz Estates for all their work and efforts of providing for Hilma a place of residence for several years which she was happy and proud to call her home.
Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - Lewiston is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share a memory of Hilma and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tributes
"Praying for God's comfort and peace to Mom, my aunts and uncles, and my cousins. May we all rejoice that she is now resting in the presence of Jesus. We have been blessed with special memories of Grandma, which we can always hold in our hearts. I remember when Grandma would babysit us, and we would watch the Carol Burnett show together. She always had ginger snap cookies for treats. Susan, I agree with you, Christmas celebrations were special. Many good times at the kids' table in the kitchen! After I had moved away, and would come back to visit her, she would always serve us a little snack and bring it out on a tray to the living room. A most vivid memory is her Bible and Meditations devotional sitting right next to her bed, where I know she faithfully was in the Word and prayer. You are all in my prayers at this time. Ramona"
"My sympathy to all of you in the loss of Hilma. She has had a long life and always looked out for others and wanted to be informed on what was going on. loved her dry sense of humor and then there would be a little smile. "
"My sympathies go out to all the relatives of Hilma. She was quite a lady! I remember her for her competitive card playing and her sense of humor. "
"Sincere Sympathy to the Bonow family on the passing of their mother. Mary Fischer Lindell"
"We are so very sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathies. Jeff and Denise Griffin"
"I remember riding horse out to the railroad tracks, when Grandpa and Grandma still lived on the farm. Then I remember the card parties, but my fondest memories are of our Christmases at their house. There was always so many people and lots of presents. (When you're little it always seemed like more than there probably was). I will always appreciate the times I spent with you, Grandma. Grandpa, Richard ( Dad),Uncle Willis, Grandson Scott, and Great-Great Grandson Trenton are all waiting to see you again. Rest in peace! Susan"
"Hilma was such a wonderful Lady I remember so many times she has made me laugh at her little jokes. She was a wonderful Mother-in-Law to me I will miss her dearly. To the Bonow family I am so sorry for your loss of a delightful Christian women but you all know she is in Heaven with her Lord and Savior. May you all be comforted my this. My thoughts and prayer to you all. Sue "